One free uplift service per year for city residents

We are changing the way we operate the special, or bulky, uplift service from 1 August.

Until now, we’ve collected bulky items free of charge, with each household having an unlimited number of collections during the year.

Following a review of the system earlier this year, each household will now receive only one free uplift per year.

Up to six items will be collected free of charge at the one time, but any further uplifts will be charged at £17.20 per uplift.

The existing charge for the uplift of any building rubble, tiles and garden waste will remain.

The majority of Edinburgh householders will be unaffected by these changes.

Last year 68 per cent of collections were from householders who only had one collection.

There were, however, 253 households that had more than five, and one household that had 26.

The new changes will mean a fairer distribution of resources for all residents.

Seventy four per cent of other Scottish councils already make a charge, some exceeding £40 per collection, so the new charge for Edinburgh is relatively low in comparison.

And remember, there are many other ways of getting rid of unwanted items:

You can take recycling and waste, free of charge, to any of the city’s four Community Recycling Centres (CRC).

• These are located at Braehead, Craigs Road; Craigmillar, Old Dalkeith Road; Seafield on Fillyside Road and the new centre at Sighthill on Bankhead Avenue.
• Each CRC has a Reuse Cabin, run by Edinburgh Furniture Initiative, which accepts donations of furniture and electrical items. All items are passed on to residents, who are unable to furnish their own homes.
• Second hand furniture and good quality household items can also be donated to charity shops – check the Yellow Pages for a list of local charity shops.

• Call 0131 529 3030 for more information on the new charging scheme or to make a special uplift booking. Note that in addition to existing ways of paying, you will also be able to pay for collections at the time of booking using a debit card.